The USS Wisconsin (BB-64) is an Iowa-class battleship built for the United States Navy during the 1940s, and it is now preserved as a museum ship. She measures 887 feet 3 inches (270.4 meters) in overall length and 860 feet (262.1 meters) at the waterline, with a beam of 108 feet 2 inches (33 meters) and a draft of 37 feet 9 inches (11.5 meters) at full combat load. Powered by four General Electric geared steam turbines generating 212,000 shaft horsepower, she was capable of reaching speeds up to approximately 34 knots, with a cruising range of at least 20,150 nautical miles at 15 knots. Constructed at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, her keel was laid down on January 25, 1941, and she was launched on December 7, 1943. Wisconsin was commissioned on April 16, 1944, under Captain Earl E. Stone. She was the second ship named after the state of Wisconsin and the highest-numbered Iowa-class battleship in the U.S. Navy. Her armament included nine 16-inch (406 mm)/50-caliber guns in three triple turrets, and twenty 5-inch (127 mm)/38-caliber dual-purpose guns, along with numerous anti-aircraft weapons, including 40 mm Bofors and 20 mm Oerlikon guns. The ship's armor features a waterline belt up to 12.1 inches (307 mm) thick, with armored turrets and barbettes designed to withstand heavy enemy fire, and an armored deck of 6 inches (152 mm). Wisconsin's service history spans World War II, the Korean War, and the Gulf War. She participated in major campaigns, including the Philippines, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and supported operations against Japanese home islands. During the Korean War, she provided gunfire support along the bombline and shelled enemy targets. In 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, Wisconsin fired Tomahawk missiles and delivered naval gunfire support, marking the last battleship action in history. Decommissioned in September 1991 after 14 years of active service, Wisconsin was later preserved as a museum in Norfolk, Virginia. She earned multiple battle stars and distinguished service awards, making her a significant symbol of U.S. naval history.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.